Novelty



March 19 1963 M. l. GLAss ETAL 3,081,997'

Y NOVELTY Filed NOV 15, 1960 United States Patent O 3,081,997 NOVELTY Marvin I. Glass and Burton C. Meyer, Chicago, Ill.; said Meyer 'assigner to said Glass Filed Nov. 15, 1960, Ser. No. 69,361 Claims. (Cl. 272-8) The invention relates generally to a novelty and more particularly to a novelty ring having an eye which is operable to simulate the appearance of a real eye opening and closing.

Novelty items of a multitude of types and descriptions have always provided entertainment to people of all age-s. In particular, novelty items which do something, that is produce or imitate some familiar occurrences or event have always been very popular. Such devices which are controlled by means which yare not normally or fully exposed to .the viewer give a mysterious impression of operating by their own initiative, and also are capable of operating without warning as a surprise item. While there are a number of novelty items on theV market at all times, applicants .are not aware of any other device providing the various advantageous features of their novelty device.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a new, improved and highly entertaining novelty device. More particularly, an object of Ithe present invention is to provide an improved novelty ring including a simulated eye which can be controllably opened Iand closed. -A still further object is to provide such a ring wherein the control means are normally not visible during the operation of the device.- Another object is to providesuch a ring which may be operated while the ring and the hand of the user are maintained in a substantially set position. Finally, it is an object of ithe present .invention to present a new novelty item which is durable, yet simple and economical to produce.

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of an eye ring and a portion of the hand of the wearer of the ring, the ringbeing a preferred embodiment of the invention and including various features of said invention;

. FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the upper or frame member of the eye assembly of the ring shown in FIG. l;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the ring;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged side view of the ring, with various portions broken away and in section, the eye being in the open position;

FIGURE 5 is a view generally like FIG. 4, but the eye is in its closed position;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the ring taken generally along line 6 6 of FIG. 4; and

FIGURE 7 is a rear view of the ring taken generally along line 7-7 of FIG. 4; and

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the lower member or eyeball of the eye assembly ofthe ring.

The prefer-red embodiment of the device, shown in the drawings, is a novelty ring 10 comprising a band section 12 which fits around the finger of the user, and means 14 simulating the appearance of an eye supported on the band section. The illustrated ring 10 further includes means 18 simulating the appearance of an eyelid. In the illustrated device, means 20 are provided for effecting relative movement between the eyelid simulating me-ans 18 and the eye simulating means y14, to and from a first position that creates the impression that the eye is closed, and a second position that creates the impression that the eye is open. Finally, means 22 are provided on the ring 10 to control the movement.

The exterior configuration of the ring 10 can incorporate any suitable design, preferably a pleasing, figurarice tive design such as that of the preferred embodiment, as shown best in FIG. 3.

Now to turn to a description of lthe details of the illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention. The illustrated ring 10 will be described with reference to its level position (FIG. 3), as this places the eye of the ring in the usual orientation of an eye. I-t should be understood, however, that the illustrated ring 10 may be effectively operated in any other position, as will become obvious from the further description of the device.

In the preferred embodiment, the -band section 12 supports a generally cylindrical, hollow housing or frame 24. The end wall of 4the cylindrical housing 24 located adjacent the finger of the wearer will be designated the rearward wall 29, and the -other end wall, which is located farthest from the finger, will be designated the forward wall 30. Thekwalls of the housing 24 define `a chamber which will be designated by the numeral 26. There is an aperture or opening 28 in the forward wall 30 which simulates the appearance of an eye socket or eye opening. The housing 24 may be conveniently fab# ricated in two half-sections which are fastened together by any suitable means such as adhesive. The material used for the housing may be any suitable material such as metal, styrene, etc.

The housing 24 is preferably secured to the band section 12 in the position seen best in FIG. l, wherein the `aperture 28 is arranged with its longer dimension extending generally perpendicular to the axis of the finger on which the ring 10 is worn. The housing 24 may be secured to the band section y12 by any suitable means which will provide the necessary attachment and will not interfere with the operator of the device, yet to be described. This is accomplished .in the illustrated device as follows:

In the rear wall 29 of the housing 24 are a pair of elongated, generally parallel slots 311 which are adapted to cooperate with parts of the band section 12 to hold the housing 24 on the section. The band section -12, which may be conveniently made lfrom a :metal stamping, has an adjustable loop 32 and three pairs of tabs 36, each pair being generally parallel to one another and extending generally tangentially to the loop 32 and parallel to its axis. When the ring `10 is assembled, the cenlter pair of tabs 36 are positioned on the outside of the housing 24, while the two outer pairs of tabs extend .through the slots 3-1 in rear-ward wall 29l of the housing and Ithen along the inside surface of that wall, thus, securely holding the housing .-24 on the band section 12.

In the illustrated ring 10, there is a movable eye assembly 38 which is rotatably mounted on the housing 24 in chamber 26 for rotational movement about a generally horizontal axis designated 42--42 (FIG. 6). The eye assembly 3-8 is positioned adjacent the aperture 28 of the housing 24 so that the rotational movement of the assembly 38 exposes different parts of said assembly 38 to create the illusion that the eye is opening and closing.

The eye assembly 38 is comprised of a lower member or eyeball 16 and an upper or frame mem-ber 40, which frame member provides the means 18 simulating an eyelid. The eyeball 16, which is generally a half-hemisphere shell, has a representation of a pupil appearing on it. The frame member 40 is an approximately quarter-hemisphere shell suitably colored to pre-sent the illusion of an eyelid. Outwardly extending means 47 presenting the lappearance of eyelashes are secured to the lower edge of the frame 40- to further the realistic appearance of the device. The eyelash means 47 may be comprised from a single member or from a plurality of strands or fibers, so long as t-he proper illusion is created.

The frame member 40 has a pair of opposed, outwardly extending, generally horizontal shafts or studs 41 which are received in bearings 43 in the housing 24, for allowing the member 40 to rotate about the axis 42-42. Thus, in Vthis particular embodiment of the device, the shafts 41 and the bearings 43 comprise the means 20 for etfecting relative movement between the eyelid simulating means 18 and the eye simulating means 14.

The upper or frame member 40' also supports a pair of generally vertical pins 44 which are rotatably received in a pair of bearings 45 and 45', one .bearing 45 being in the lower portion `of the lower member or eyeball 16 and the other bearing 45 being in an upwardly extending extension arm 46 secured to the eyeball 16, to rotatably support the eyeball about a generally vertical axis 48-48. The eyeball 16, thus, is carried with the frame member 40` for rotation .about the horizontal axis 4t2- 42' land is also able to rotate from side to side, relative to the frame member 40 (and of course to the housing 24), about the vertical axis 48--48'- The eyeball 16 may be suitably weighted to facilitate this side to side movement. As the frame member 48 provides the eyelid simulating means 18, the sideways movement of the eyeball 16 creates the lifelike appearance of an eye moving sideways relative to its eyelid.

The eye assembly 38 is rotatable between the two positions which are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively. When the eye assembly 38 is in the position shown in FIG. 4, wherein the representation of the pupil carried on the eyeball 16 is exposed through the aperture 28, the device gives the impression of an opened eye and accordingly this position of the parts will be designated the open position. When the eye assembly 38 is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 5, wherein the eyelid simulating means 18 is exposed through the aperture 28, the device creates the appearance of a closed eye, and, accordingly, this position of the parts will be designated the closed position.

In the preferred embodiment, the means 22 for controlling movement comprises biasing means 56, which urge the eye assembly 38 toward the open position (FIG. 4), and an actuating element or trigger 58 for moving the eye assembly 38 against the force of the biasing means 56 to the closed position (FIG. 5).

To be more particular, in the illustrated embodiment, a generally U-shaped, resilient, elongated member 60, such as a wire or a band, is xed at its ends to eye assembly 38 and extends rearwardly through one of the slots 31 in the rear Wall 29 of the housing 24, forming a loop which is positioned adjacent the band section 12 and constitutes the trigger 58.

The eye assembly 3S is normally maintained in the open position (FIG. 4) by the biasing means 56, which in the illustrated embodiment is a wide angle, V-shaped spring 62 (as best seen in FIG. 6). The spring 62 extends across the loop of the elongated member 60 `adjacent the outside of the rear wall 29 of the housing 24. The spring 62 is connected at either of `its ends to the member 60 with the apex of its V extending forwardly to abut a tab 36 of the band section 12 (FIGS. 6 and 7) so as to tend to urge member 60' rearwardly. The illustrated spring 62 is suiciently strong to prevent the eye from closing when the hand is moved about, but it will yield to direct pressure on the trigger 58.

Each end of the elongated member 60 is xed to one side of the frame member 40 at a location somewhat above `and somewhat forwardly of the horizontal axis 42--42' The loop portion of the elongated member 60 constituting the trigger 58 of the illustrated device is positioned slightly above the band section 12, and generally coaxial with said section 12. The illustrated trigger 58 has a larger diameter than the band section 12. Therefore, when the band section is put on the finger of the wearer, the trigger 58 is spaced from that ringer. By pressing against the trigger S8 so as to move it forwardly against the force of the biasing spring 62, the eye assembly 38 may be rotated about its axis 42-42 toward the closed position (FIG. 5). By releasing the trigger 58, the spring 62 is allowed to move the eye assembly 38 back toward the open position (FIG. 4). Obviously, the eye may be operated so as to assume any desired intermediate position.

Thus, a new and highly amusing device is provided which may be positively controlled by the user. The illustrated device is constructed so that the trigger is 1ocated closely adjacent to the band of the ring and would be very likely to go unnoticed. In addition, the user may hold his ngers together and may also close his hand to almost completely conceal the trigger. The eye may lconveniently be opened and closed by pressing the trigger with the thumb, or, more secretively, by closing the ring hand and then tightening and relaxing it to exert pressure on the trigger. Added mystery is achieved by allowing operation of the device without the necessity of waving the hand about as would be required with gravitytype devices. Likewise, there is no need to correlate the position of the hand with the desired condition of the eye, as the illustrated ring may be operated effectively with the hand in any position (as noted above, the device was described in a level position merely to facilitate the description).

Obviously, many changes in the structure of the preferred embodiment may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Merely by way of example, the eyeball might be fixed to the housing or might be a part of it. Then the desired result could be accomplished by making the eyelid the only moving part. Also, by way of example, the particular configuration of the trigger could be varied, or any of a great variety of biasing means could be used.

Various `features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A novelty ring comprising, in combination, a band section adapted to embrace the finger of the wearer, a housing supported on said band section and having an opening therein, means for simulating the appearance of an eyeball supported within said housing adjacent said opening, means for simulating the appearance of an eyelid movably supported adjacent said opening, said eyelid simulating means being movable relative to said opening between two positions, one position creating the illusion that the eye is open and the other position creating the illusion that the eye has closed, and control means supported on said ring and operably associated with said eyelid simulating means for moving said eyelid simulating means between said positions in response to opening and closing movement of the ring supporting hand of the wearer.

2. A novelty ring comprising, in combination, a band section adapted to embrace the nger of the wearer, a housing supported on said band section and having an opening therein, means for simulating the appearance of an eyeball supported within said housing adjacent said opening, means for simulating the appearance of an eyelid movably supported adjacent said opening, said eyelid simulating means being movable relative to said opening between two positions, one position creating the illusion that the eye is open and the other position creating the illusion that the eye has closed, and control means supported on said ring and operably associated with said eyelid simulating means for moving said eyelid simulating means between said positions, said control means including a movable actuating element positionedy adjacent the band section of said ring and disposed so as to be spaced from the nger on which said ring is worn, said actuating element being movable relative to said band section in response to opening and closing movement of the ring supporting hand of the wearer so as to move said eyelid simulating means, whereby the user can create the illusion that the eye is opening or closing.

3. A novelty ring for creating the illustion of a living eye, said ring comprising, in combination, a band section, a housing supported on said band section and having an opening therein, a member for simulating the appearance of an eyeball supported within said housing adjacent said opening, an eyelid member rotatably supported in said housing adjacent said opening, said eyelid member being rotatable between a position wherein it substantially extends over said opening creating the impression that the eye is closed and another position wherein it does not extend over said opening creating the impression that said eye is open, biasing means on said ring normally tending to move said eyelid member toward one of said positions, control means supported on said ring operable to move said eyelid member against said biasing means toward the other of said positions, said control means including a movable trigger positioned adjacent the band section of said ring and disposed so as to extend around the iinger on which said ring is worn, said trigger being spaced from said finger and being movable relative to said band section to move said eyelid member, whereby the user may create the illusion that the eye is opening and closing.

4. A novelty ring comprising a ring band adapted to embrace a finger of the wearer, means mounted on said ring band and simulating the general appearance of an eye, additional means supported on said ring and simulating the appearance of an eyelid, said additional means -being mounted for movement relative to said eye simulating means between one position providing the illusion that the eye is open and another position providing the illusion that the eye is closed, and control means carried by said ring and operable to eiect said relative movement of said eyelid simulating means in response to opening and closing movement of the hand of the wearer.

5. A novelty ring comprising, in combination, a band section adapted to embrace the nger of the wearer, a housing supported on said band section and having an opening therein, means for simulating the appearance of an eyelid movably supported adjacent said opening, said eyelid simulating means being movable about a first axis relative to said opening and between two positions, one position creating the illusion that the eye is open and the other position creating the illusion that the eye has closed, an eyeball simulating means supported by said eyelid simulating means for movement therewith about said rst axis and for movement relative thereto about a second axis disposed transversely of said first axis, biasing means on said ring normally tending to move said eyelid simulating means about said first axis, toward one of said positions, and control means supported on said ring and operable to move said eyelid simulating means about said first axis and against said biasing means toward the other of said positions, and whereby movement of the wearers hand is effective to cause relative movement between said eyeball simulating means and said eyelid simulating means about said second axis.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,608,609 Metzger Nov. 30, 1926 2,509,373 Stevens May 30, 1950 2,854,788 Baggott Det. 7, 1958 2,938,302 Walss T May 31, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 379,654 Great Britain Sept. 1, 1932 

1. A NOVELTY RING COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A BAND SECTION ADAPTED TO EMBRACE THE FINGER OF THE WEARER, A HOUSING SUPPORTED ON SAID BAND SECTION AND HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN, MEANS FOR SIMULATING THE APPEARANCE OF AN EYEBALL SUPPORTED WITHIN SAID HOUSING ADJACENT SAID OPENING, MEANS FOR SIMULATING THE APPEARANCE OF AN EYELID MOVABLY SUPPORTED ADJACENT SAID OPENING, SAID EYELID SIMULATING MEANS BEING MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID OPENING BETWEEN TWO POSITIONS, ONE POSITION CREATING THE ILLUSION THAT THE EYE IS OPEN AND THE OTHER POSITION CREATING THE ILLUSION THAT THE EYE HAS CLOSED, AND CONTROL MEANS SUPPORTED ON SAID RING AND OPERABLY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID EYELID SIMULATING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID EYELID SIMULATING MEANS BETWEEN SAID POSITIONS IN RESPONSE TO OPENING AND CLOSING MOVEMENT OF THE RING SUPPORTING HAND OF THE WEARER. 